Going on vacation with pets is undoubtedly an exciting experience but one that entails quite a lot of planning for a dog-friendly vacation. Bringing your bud from the animal kingdom along on holidays is a bit tricky because you can never be sure if all the places you plan to visit will accept your pet. Moreover, you might have to pack heavy to carry all of your pet’s essentials. You also have to see the mode of transportation you will be taking to go on the trip of a dog-friendly vacation. If you choose to take a road trip, taking your pet will be relatively easier as opposed to if you decide to go by air or train.
In sum, planning a holiday with your little fellow can be challenging, especially if you are doing it for the first time. That said, with a bit of guidance in the right direction, you can do the job just right! And that is why we decided to share this detailed guide to help you plan the most memorable holiday with your furry pal.
The first thing you need to decide when planning a dog-friendly vacation is your travel destination. Doing so is crucial because you want to make sure the place you plan on going has dog-friendly vacation accommodations. Besides that, you will have to go through the local regulations regarding pet-travel in your desired location because animal importation laws are typically quite complicated.
And don’t think you will be able to sway the authorities because that’s not going to happen; even Johnny Depp couldn’t do that when he took his terriers to Australia. The Pirates of the Caribbean star had to go through quite the hoops because he invited his dogs to Down Under without familiarizing himself with the local laws.
Furthermore, by having a place in mind, you can choose your means of transportation better. That is, let’s say you decide to go someplace out of the country; then, naturally, you will have to look into the permits you need to fly with a pet. Besides, you will also have to see which airlines offer dog-friendly vacation flights.
Typically, taking a road trip with pets is more manageable because that doesn’t involve a lot of documentation. All you need is a reliable vehicle and a crate to carry your pup. But that doesn’t mean you should drop the idea of going on an overseas trip altogether.
Taking your fur child on an airplane can pan out differently based on the airline you choose. But most companies have the same rule when it comes to accepting pets on board. If your fuzzy pal is small enough to go in a crate that you can put under your seat or in front of you, only then can they accompany you through the flight. If they are too big to fit in a crate, they will have to travel in the cargo with the luggage. This may sound dangerous, but it’s a common practice. Many paw-parents take their fur babies in the freight cargo without accidents.
However, there are a few variables you need to consider when flying your four-legged companion in cargo. Generally, airlines don’t take breeds with snubbed noses like pugs in freight because of their facial structure. Having snubbed noses can make it hard for such species to breathe normally in cramped, closed-off places, which is why pit bulls, pugs, and other bully breeds are usually banned from flying in cargo.
Although the cost of flying a dog may vary from airline to airline, generally, it’s more than a $100 on one side when you take the dog with you in the cabin. For cargo, the charges are different depending on the weight of the canine and its crate.
Once you know where you are going and which transportation mode you will take, you need to get your canine companion checked. Consult your vet and get a complete evaluation of your dog’s health. Also, see if your furry champ has any vaccination appointments coming up. If so, then bump those up or see if you can get those done in the place you are visiting.
After the vet has cleared your bud for traveling, get the official certificate that you will need to show at different points throughout the journey.
Traveling involves carrying essentials so that you are set for a while and don’t have to look for them in a foreign land. And that’s not only true for humans; it also holds for animals.
Depending on the duration of your dog-friendly vacation, stock up on your sidekick’s favorite products, such as their shampoo, food, etc.
Dogs can be a bit picky when it comes to food. They like to stick to the brand they usually have even when they are not home. If your fuzzy friend is also a picky eater, you don’t want to take any chances and pack their favorite kibbles to keep them satisfied on the trip.
If you are taking your little fellow on a trip for the first time, you need to choose their crate wisely. Why? So that they can sit comfortably for the entire ride.
A paw-parent should consider a few things when choosing a crate for their canine companion to make sure their pet is comfortable with the choice. First, look into the material you think will work best for your four-legged kid. There are many options for that; you can choose a wooden crate, soft-sided crate, wire crate, or a plastic crate, among others. So, carry out a little research before deciding on a particular product.
Next, check the size and roominess because you don’t want your pet to suffocate or feel claustrophobic in the crate.
If your canine companion is not used to staying in crates, you need to acclimatize them with one so that they ride without causing trouble. Once they are comfortable staying in, only then take them on holiday.
Book accommodations beforehand to avoid unnecessary hassle on your trip. To choose suitable lodges, ask for recommendations from other paw-parents who travel frequently. If you don’t know any other dog owners, you can go to online chatrooms and ask for suggestions; surely, you will get many. Or you can read reviews of the top places that come up on the search results online.
There is no denying that traveling with a dog requires a little extra effort, but once you do it a few times, you become a pro! So, just don’t give up and take your fur child on all your family vacations.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
Facts About Animal Homelessness:
Here are a some adoptions for consideration: puccicafe.com/adoptions